Petersham: Alice Pailoon Shamgochian, 97, passed away on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 in Heywood Hospital in Gardner. She leaves a sister-in-law Maureen (Dowd) Shamgochian; two nephews - Alexander Shamgochian and his wife Alison Goodchild of East Providence, RI and Michael Shamgochian of Petersham; two grandnephews and two grandnieces - John, Benjamin, Claire, and Anna Shamgochian. She was predeceased by her sister Ruth Shamgochian and her brother Edward Shamgochian.
Alice was born in Worcester, daughter of the late Michael and Anna (Karaguesian) Shamgochian. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Clark University and a Masters of Education from Worcester State University. She worked as an art teacher at Forest Grove and Chandler Junior High Schools for many years. In her youth Alice worked as a dance instructor for Arthur Murray Dance Studio. She was a member of the Armenian Church of Our Saviour in Worcester and taught in the Sunday school program. Alice was a painter and a sculptor, an avid reader and a lifelong pacifist. She travelled extensively in Europe and South America on her own and with her sister Ruth, with whom she lived, and for whom, in Ruth's final illness, she cared for many years. Alice will be remembered by her family for her humor, kindness and her selfless devotion to her loved ones.
A funeral will be held on Monday, July 2, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in the Armenian Church of Our Saviour 87 Salisbury St. Worcester, MA 01609. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations in Alice's name may be made to the Church. For directions or to leave an online condolence message, please click link.